The Latest in the Science of Memory

“The brain is the most complicated structure in the known universe.” That’s how James L. McGaugh, PhD, of the University of California, Irvine began a recent talk entitled Making Lasting Memories in the Brain. The talk, part of the National Academies’ Distinctive Voices lecture series, is just one of many Academies resources exploring the science of memory and learning.

Visitors to the Koshland Science Museum are invited to interact with Brain and Learning topics in our Life Lab, which includes brain imagery and an overview of how the brain makes memories. Other parts of the exhibit delve into the changes our brains and body undergo as we age.

We also invite visitors to test their memory and learn special visual techniques to sharpen their memory with our Memory Boxes and Memory Palace hands-on science activities. A rotating selection of hands-on science activities is offered Saturdays and Sundays from 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. and is included with regular museum admission.

View the video of James McGaugh’s talk, Making Lasting Memories in the Brain.